Mass Timber Blitz 2025 in Honolulu, Hawai’i, USA

Topic: MASS TIMBER, SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION, CARBON FOOTPRINT REDUCTION

Mass timber construction offers numerous benefits, including environmental advantages, faster construction timelines, and enhanced building aesthetics. It's a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel, with a lower carbon footprint and the ability to sequester carbon, while also providing structural strength and appealing designs especially needed for our aging public schools, libraries, and affordable housing.

PURPOSE:

Join us as we share MASS TIMBER’s facts with development, design, and construction industry leaders with the intent to utilize wood, a renewable domestic resource to build more sustainable, humane, and economically feasible housing, commercial and institutional buildings in the islands.

This event is organized by SHADE Institute, a Hawai‘i-based, non-profit public interest design foundation with partners: Timberlab, American Wood Council, Woodworks, Simpson Strong-Tie, Michael Thrailkill Architects, Vaproshield, Nahele Lumber Co., Ralph Inouye Construction, Hawai‘i Carpenters Apprenticeship & Training Fund, Hawai‘i Off-Grid, and Hawai‘i Housing Finance & Development Corporation. AIA Honolulu will provide Continuing Eduction Credits (CEU).

WHEN:

• Kick-off Event: Thursday, October 16, 6-8pm

• Training Sessions: Friday, October 17, 8am-5pm

• Exhibition: October 21 – November 21, 2025, Mon-Sat, 11am-5pm

These three event components will occur over 5 weeks:

• Kick-off pau hana event on October 16 will bring together the development, design, industry leaders and stakeholders to learn about the MASS TIMBER Blitz training opportunities, exhibition, and network among attendees.

• Training Blitz on October 17 will increase awareness and elevate professional knowledge for the development, design, regulation, and construction of MASS TIMBER projects in Hawai‘i’s unique economic and environmental contexts.

• Exhibition from October 21- November 21, will feature MASS TIMBER product information, completed project profiles, supporting services, and actual mass timber mock-ups. Partners, sponsors, and Industry stakeholders may schedule supplemental training and events during the exhibition period. SHADE will provide an online application to schedule/coordinate.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

AGENDA 10/16:

1. Sign-in / Reception

5:30-6:00pm_Guest Sign-in / Reception

2. Welcome

6:00-6:15pm_Training & Exhibition Overview (Speakers: Dean, Sam)

3. Networking Mixer

6:15-7:30pm_Food / Drink

4. Closing

7:30-7:45pm

AGENDA 10/17:

1. Sign-in/Coffee

7:45-8:30am

2. Morning Sessions

8:30-9:20 _Introduction to Mass Timber, Janelle Leafblad, Woodworks
9:20-10:10am_Tall Mass Timber Buildings Fire Service Concerns, Greg Womack, American Wood Council (AWC)
10:10-10:20am_BREAK
10:20-11:10am_Mass Timber Manufacturing, Samuel Dicke, Timberlab
11:10-12pm_Guest Speaker - Ascent: Designing the World’s Tallest (For Now) Timber Hybrid, Jason Korb, AIA, Korb Architecture (VIRTUAL)

3. Lunch (Provided)

12-1:30pm

4. Afternoon Sessions

1:30-2:15pm_Panel Discussion: Technical applications: Protections and Connections
- Moderator: Nathan Buxser, Swinerton
- Speakers: Aaron Gould, Vaproshield, Eric McDonnell, Holmes, Joey Valenti, Nahele Lumber Co., Tyler Williams, Honsador
2:15-3:10pm_Interactive Activity: Speed Introductions
- Roundtable switching speed session with 4-5 tables
- Table reps: Janelle Leafblad, Woodworks, Eric McDonnell, Holmes, Tim Waite, Simpson Strong-Tie, Aaron Gould, Vaproshield, Joey Valenti, Nahele Lumber Co.
3:10-3:20pm_BREAK
3:20-4:20pm_Panel Discussion: Future of Mass Timber in Hawaii
- Moderator: Dean Sakamoto, SHADE Institute / Dean Sakamoto Architects
- Speakers: Randy Chu, Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corp, Blake Inouye, Ralph S. Inouye Co., Ltd., Aaron Yamasaki, Swinerton, David Sellers, Hawaii Off Grid